Guilty verdict returned in Mingo murder trial

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WILLIAMSON - Donald Kevin Medley, 46, was convicted on a charge of first-degree murder late Wednesday afternoon, said Mingo County Prosecuting Attorney Teresa D. Maynard. The jury did not deliberate for an extended period of time before returning the guilty verdict.

Medley had been arrested and indicted on the murder charge for intentionally killing Evelyn Farnum on or about Dec. 30, 2012, in Ms. Farnum’s home on the Right Fork of Laurel Creek at Lenore.

The court is expected to hear post-trial motions in this matter on June 4 at 9 a.m.

“This was a brutal crime. Ms. Farnum was horribly beaten and strangled before the defendant hid her body in her car and submerged it in Laurel Lake.” Maynard said. “I am pleased to say that the jury’s verdict holds Medley accountable for his actions and the death of Ms. Farnum. I am hopeful that this verdict will bring some measure of peace to the victim’s family.”

On Jan. 1, 2013, the victim’s daughter, Andrea Ferris, reported Ms. Farnum missing to the West Virginia State Police. It was not until several days later that a witness came forward offering information to law enforcement as to the whereabouts of the victim’s vehicle, a Jeep Liberty SUV.

On Jan. 6, 2013, the vehicle was located and pulled from Laurel Lake. Ms. Farnum’s body was found inside. The cause of death was determined to be strangulation, according to the official autopsy reports obtained from the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

Maynard thanked Trooper J. J. Dean, III, who headed the investigation into Ms. Farnum’s death, as well as the numerous other members of the West Virginia State Police from both the Williamson and Logan detachments who assisted, congratulating them on a job well done.

Maynard also thanked the jury for its time and service, noting that the trial took place over a period of a week and required a significant commitment from the members of the jury.

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